Sam's Folly (Midnight Sons Book 1) Page 7

  As soon as he stepped into the kitchen, Alex shoved him back against the counter. “What the hell?”

  Sam righted himself, immediately bowing up against his younger brother. Alex might be a couple inches taller than his six-foot height, but Sam was bigger. “Back off, Alex. I’m not in the mood.” Even at thirty-three, Alex was still trying to take him on.

  Alex nodded toward the dining room. “Vince’s been back a week, and you put him in charge? I don’t even know why I continue working for you. I could make four times as much with a commercial airline.”

  Sam blinked slowly, attempting to calm down. “Vince is reliable.”

  “Ten years ago, Sam! I took off for three months ten years ago, and you’ll never let me live it down.”

  “Our father had just died … while he was on a rescue with you, I might remind you.” Sam shoved his finger into his brother’s chest, backing him up against the sink. “Instead of helping the family, you took off, leaving me to take care of everything. You’re damn right I’m entrusting Vince with our livelihood and not you. He was here for me when I needed him most.” Sam blew out a breath through his nose. “Why’d you run, Alex? Guilt?”

  Alex shoved his hands forward, knocking Sam back. “I don’t need to take this.”

  “Gentlemen,” Vince stepped in front of Sam before he could respond. “Mom doesn’t need this.”

  Sam cracked his neck. “No, she doesn’t. She needs responsible men to take care of her, not ones who run off —”

  “Enough!” Vince thundered, his massive mitts separating them.

  Alex backed away, heading for the rear door. His hand on the knob, he turned. “For what it’s worth, Sam, I’d like to remind you that I came back. I could have taken that position as a private pilot, but I didn’t. I came back for the family. But ten years is too long to take your crap. I’ll start looking for another job immediately.” With that, Alex stormed out, letting the door slam behind him.

  Vince threw up his hands. “Well, that’s just great, Sam. Where’re we gonna find another pilot for what Alex accepts in pay? I know you’re ticked off, but don’t chase away the family. As it is, I haven’t seen Daire in days.”

  Sam rolled his shoulders. “He’s been here. Just been coming in late.”

  “You know what I mean. You can’t alienate everyone in your life.”

  “Why? It’s not like anyone does anything but take.”

  “Because it will hurt Mom.”

  Sam heard a soft sigh, and looked up to see his mother leaning against the wall.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I shouldn’t have —”

  “Come on and eat before the food gets cold.” She walked toward the dining room.

  Damn. Why was he always the one who ended up feeling bad? Alex was the one who’d returned from a rescue without their father. Alex was the one who’d taken off for three months after his father’s funeral. Daire’s mother was the one who’d abandoned him and their newborn son. And Nora …

  He pinched the bridge of his nose. Nora was the one who had made him believe he’d finally found a woman he could love again. Sure, they’d only had three short interactions, but it’d been enough. Enough to convince him he wanted more. But he’d been duped. Again.

  ~ Nora ~

  Nora lowered herself onto the bear canister and inspected her blistered feet.

  Sam should have mentioned using the bear canister as a stool, so much better than a rock when you’ve been hiking for days on end.

  “Owww …” She cringed as she first pulled off the wool sock, and then gently pulled the supposedly sweat-wicking synthetic sock away from her skin. She doused the giant bubble with fresh water and allowed it to dry. Next, she sterilized a safety pin with alcohol. After she cleared the blister, she applied triple antibiotic ointment. She cut a donut hole just larger than the blister in the middle of a swath of moleskin, then covered the area with a large bandage. She did the same to the other foot, then pulled on clean socks and slipped into camp Crocs. She definitely needed to rest her feet a couple days.

  Limping, she made her way over to her hammock. “Well,” she sighed, “at least I made it to a beautiful vista.” She stared out at just a sliver of the six million acres of wild land that made up Denali National Park and smiled. “Plenty of room to get lost.”

  But then she couldn’t help but frown as she stared up at the cloud-covered peak. Even though Mount McKinley was North America’s tallest peak at 20,320 feet, she’d yet to catch sight of it. When she’d asked the airport shuttle driver the best place to see the peak, he hadn’t mentioned a spot, but a time. He told her that on a clear day, it didn’t matter if you were in Anchorage or Fairbanks, but that you had to be one of the lucky thirty percenters. When she’d asked what that meant, he explained that more than six hundred thousand people visit Denali yearly, but only thirty percent actually see the peak.

  “I’ll be one of them!” she said in a singsong voice.

  Sure, blisters adorned her feet, and her shoulders felt raw from where the backpack had rubbed, but she was free. Truly free. As far as Sergio knew, she was making her way to the summit, so even if he sent someone after her, that’s the trail they’d follow. But she’d taken two days to hike up one trail, then backtracked and spent the last few days making her way through a taiga forest and into an alpine tundra.

  As much as she’d like to summit Denali, it would be irresponsible. Higher elevation meant more food consumption. No, she had to stay at low elevation for the next few weeks. Then, she’d make her way to Fairbanks, re-stock, and then work her way back to Anchorage following the Alaska Pipeline.

  She hoped she’d at least see The Great One before she moved on. She couldn’t imagine that she wouldn’t in three weeks.

  Nora took a bite of a protein bar as she gazed out at the spectacular valley below her, at the river that cut through the three smaller mountain ranges. Above her, the sky was clear and blue. Even the peak of Denali, now shrouded in clouds, seemed miles away. Unlike L.A., where a constant haze clutched the city, making her feel trapped.

  From her hammock, she watched in utter amazement as a bald eagle with a wider wingspan than her outstretched arms swooped down, talons spread, and snapped up a fish. Yes, this was the perfect camp. She’d stay put a couple days, give her feet and shoulders a little rest. Tomorrow, she’d even try to catch some fish.

  She closed her eyes, and an image of Sam smiling at her when she’d tied the knots flashed through her head. Then the feel of his hands on her hip and shoulder when he’d shown her the shot … Heat rushed through her, thinking about the night she could have spent with him.

  “Well, at least I know what to do if it gets too cold. I’ll just think about your large hands on me, Sam. And those deep chocolate eyes. I bet your kiss tastes better than this so-called chocolate bar.”

  She laughed aloud. Talking to yourself, she’d read, was imperative when you planned to spend an extended length of time alone, but speaking erotic thoughts aloud might scare the surrounding animals — or worse, cause her to break out in giggles when she was trying to keep warm.

  As much as she tried to hold onto thoughts of Sam’s hands, his inquisitive eyes — the last time he gazed into her eyes — bombarded her fantasy. She’d lied to him, and he’d known it. As much as she’d wanted to meet Sam for dinner, she knew she couldn’t. She couldn’t even force herself to read what he’d written on the napkin he’d shoved into her purse. Something told her that if she’d allowed herself to spend even one evening with him, it would have been damn near impossible to leave.

  “I’m sorry, Sam. I didn’t want to stand you up. It just wasn’t meant to be.” Maybe someday, when she was safe in her country, she could find Sam.

  For now, she had to continue with her plan. The only way Sergio would ever let her go was if he thought she was dead. He’d made it very clear what would happen if she didn’t do exactly what he wanted her to do. And while he’d never said, Don’t ever leave me; she was certain that
leaving him wasn’t something he’d ever allow.

  Chapter 6

  ~ Sam ~

  Sam made his way downstairs. He glanced at the clock over the mantel: 4:30.

  Trying to get on the trail before the sun came up was nearly impossible in May. Not to mention that he’d had one nightmare after another the previous evening. Images of Nora running from a shadow. Alex stabbing him in the back with an ice ax. That Sergio fellow laughing, mocking him. Daire drowning. The mishmash of images had collided with each other, none of them making any sense, other than the fact that each of the persons who’d starred in his homemade movies had been on his mind.

  Sam stretched and headed to the kitchen. He’d enjoy the beautiful view from the deck while he sipped his last cup of coffee with cream and sugar. From here on out, it was black all the way.

  His brother Erik, who was as rambunctious as a newborn fawn playing in snow, had always asked why Sam even bothered wasting room in his pack with coffee. Plain and simple, Sam was addicted, and he didn’t plan to give up his one vice. He’d given up drinking and smoking and women — not willingly. But the powers that be could have his rifle and his coffee mug when they wrenched them out of his cold dead hands.

  Mug in hand, Sam stared out at the eastern mountains, which were often overlooked in the presence of Denali. But he thought they were just as majestic. Hell, the entire state of Alaska was a miracle. The sun hadn’t crested the peaks, and yet beautiful hues of yellow and orange already danced across the snowcapped range.

  It was going to be a beautiful day. If he could just ignore that he was making this hike to collect Nora for her fiancé, he might be able to enjoy it.

  He pulled out his wallet and stared at the check Sergio had written. Fifty thousand dollars. The man had made it clear that he’d receive another fifty thousand when Nora was delivered safely to him. Confused as to why her fiancé would pay a hundred thousand dollars to find Nora when she wasn’t lost, Sam had Googled how much she’d made on her last fight.

  He no longer had any questions. Nora had made three million for her last fight, of which he was positive her manager/fiancé received a large portion. Not to mention all the sports sponsorships and movie royalties.

  Sam felt like one of those clueless women in a fairy tale who hadn’t known they’d been dancing with the prince. He’d been trying to woo a millionaire princess who was betrothed to a king. As if some rescue worker from Alaska had anything to offer her. He imagined that when he did find Nora, he’d feel just as frustrated as Shrek had felt when he had to return Princess Fiona to Lord Farquaad.

  “You’re an idiot, Sam.” He gave himself a good knock upside the head since no one else was awake to do it. Since he’d ruined the peaceful morning, he headed to the kitchen and washed out his cup.

  He darted out the back door and headed to the kennel. The kennel, which was actually a large barn they’d closed in and insulated, was toasty warm when he stepped inside. Unlike the jumping and howling treatment he normally received, only a soft whimper greeted him.

  Arwen stepped out from her stall, her tail tucked between her legs.

  “What is it, girl?” Sam stooped and ruffled the thick scruff of his German shepherd/timber wolf mix. “Where’s Strider?” The brother and sister pair were the best trail dogs he’d ever had.

  Sam stood and followed Arwen back to their stall. Strider looked up as Sam entered, but didn’t get up to greet him. Worried, Sam knelt in front of Strider. He checked his eyes, his nose, his tongue. All looked normal.

  “You eat something you weren’t supposed to, boy?” He stroked the dog’s thick coat. Unlike his sister, who had a black and white coat, Strider had a grizzled sable coat. Strider was also larger, weighing close to 125 pounds. Sam never feared grizzlies, not when he had the two of them by his side. Sam sighed. “Well, boy, I guess you’re not up for a hike.” Strider moved just his dark brown eyes upward, staring up at him guilt-ridden. “It’s okay. No reason to feel guilty. I told you to stay away from those rabbits. Probably got yourself rabbit fever.” Sam smoothed his coat again, then texted Vince a note to give him a de-wormer and antibiotics if he didn’t look better by dinner. “No worries, boy. I’ll let you sit this one out. It should be an in-and-out operation. I’ll have your sister back to you in no time. Was she too smart to eat the thing, or did you hog it all to yourself? Probably the latter.”

  Sam headed to the tack shelf and retrieved Arwen’s harness and pack. He filled up enough food for a week, hoping if he kept her full she wouldn’t be off chasing rabbits or worse, porcupines. The thirty-pound sucker Strider happened upon last year hadn’t been fun.

  Packed, Sam whistled for Arwen to follow. In response, she whimpered, looking back at her brother.

  “Come on, girl. Vince will take care of him. I need you.” With one fleeting look at Strider, she barreled toward Sam. “Atta girl, Arwen. You’re my good girl, huh?” He ruffled her ears as she spun in circles. “You’ll never let me down, will you, girl?”

  WOOF!

  Sam clicked the keyfob for his truck, and she charged forward, tail wagging. He opened the back door, and she hopped up into the cab. He set Arwen’s dogpack on the floorboard, then walked around to the driver’s door.

  An hour later, Sam pulled into the parking area where Sergio had said that Nora left her rental car. According to him, all her luggage was still inside, along with all her credit cards, so he thought she’d be back by now. Sam had explained that it could take three weeks to climb Denali, but the man didn’t care to listen.

  “No matter,” Sergio had said. “Just find her. It’s normal to see other hikers, right?”

  “Yes,” Sam had said.

  “Then, just make sure she gets home safely. But don’t tell her I paid you. She’s a proud woman, you know. She’ll be furious if she finds out I sent someone to watch her.”

  Sam hopped down from the truck and headed for the ranger station. While he didn’t need to sit through the Denali Backcountry video, Nora would have. Sergio probably wouldn’t have been able to retrieve personal information — Alaskans were extremely private people, and they respected others’ privacy as well. As the owner of Search and Rescue Alaska, though, Sam could get information from the rangers.

  Twenty minutes later, Sam walked back to the truck. Arwen, as if she were the queen of Sheba, sat proudly in the front seat, eyes wide.

  “What are you doing up there?” Sam narrowed his eyes, doing his best to betray bad girl without voicing his disapproval.

  Her ears perked, but then she pinned them back and crawled into the back seat.

  Sam opened the back door. “Good girl.”

  Arwen hopped out, but remained at his side. She was getting better and better about knowing the rules without him having to say them.

  Sam double-checked his gear, then pulled out his pack.

  At the trailhead, he stopped and hit a button on his SPOT, the one that sent a message to Vince and his mother. Everything’s good. I’m either starting out or stopping for the day. He had two more options programmed. One read: I’ve run into trouble and may be late returning. And the most important button: I’m hurt and need help. No matter which message he sent, both his mother and Vince would receive updated GPS coordinates.

  Before he started walking again, Sam pulled out Nora’s gloves that had been hooked to his rearview mirror. He’d planned to use them as a good excuse to talk to her again. He’d never imagined that he’d actually be tracking her.

  He held out the gloves, allowing Arwen to catch Nora’s scent. “Tsuuck!” He’d been practicing the command for track more than most of Arwen’s German commands.

  Arwen sniffed, tapping her nose again and again into the soft wool interior of the leather gloves. Eager and thrilled to be hunting, she zigzagged across the trail a few times, then charged forward, pulling Sam with her. He would keep the leash on her through the first day, giving her a chance to catch the scent and calm down. Nora had a pretty good head start, but he and Arwe
n were fast.

  He’d been hiking so many times he knew exactly what he needed and didn’t need, so he packed light. He also knew where to find abandoned dry cabins if an emergency came up, so he didn’t have to plan for all situations. Food, too. Unlike most folks, he had a dog that could fetch him a rabbit if he got hungry. And unlike her brother, Arwen would wait for Sam to cook the meat so they wouldn’t get sick.

  According to the rangers, Nora had signed for a three-week pass to summit Denali, but something didn’t feel right to Sam.

  Nora had told him, the people at the breakfast table, and her fiancé that she wasn’t heading out for a week. Why lie? Why, if she told her fiancé that she’d tell him when she was taking off, did she decide not to tell him? Had she known he was worried enough to send someone after her? Or worse, was Sam’s first instinct correct? Was Nora running from someone? From Sergio?

  “Okay, girl,” Sam said. “We’ll catch her. Slow your pace. You don’t want to burn up all your energy — or mine.”

  Miles into the hike, at the fork in the not-really-there path, Arwen stopped. She sniffed to one direction, then backed up and searched in the other direction, then stopped and whimpered.

  “Don’t know which way to go? How’s that possible?” Sam stooped down and petted her, letting her know it was okay. “No worries. I already know which way she went. She went this way.”

  Sam started forward, but Arwen stopped, then tugged the opposite way.

  “No, girl. You’re wrong. Nora went this way.”

  Sam tugged, but Arwen tugged back with an insistent Woof.

  Sam blew out a breath. “We don’t have time to screw around, girl.”

  Arwen pulled Sam toward the trail that led straight into the deep Denali wilderness. It was a strenuous trail, a lightly trafficked out-and-back trail. Doubtful that Arwen could miss Nora’s scent among the few backpackers. But why would Nora choose that trail if her dream had been to summit Denali? Had she gotten scared?